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Rodríguez Deliz CL, Lee GM, Bushnell BN, Majaj NJ, Movshon JA, Kiorpes L. Development of radial frequency pattern perception in macaque monkeys. J Vis 2024; 24:6. [PMID: 38843389 PMCID: PMC11160949 DOI: 10.1167/jov.24.6.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Infant primates see poorly, and most perceptual functions mature steadily beyond early infancy. Behavioral studies on human and macaque infants show that global form perception, as measured by the ability to integrate contour information into a coherent percept, improves dramatically throughout the first several years after birth. However, it is unknown when sensitivity to curvature and shape emerges in early life or how it develops. We studied the development of shape sensitivity in 18 macaques, aged 2 months to 10 years. Using radial frequency stimuli, circular targets whose radii are modulated sinusoidally, we tested monkeys' ability to radial frequency stimuli from circles as a function of the depth and frequency of sinusoidal modulation. We implemented a new four-choice oddity task and compared the resulting data with that from a traditional two-alternative forced choice task. We found that radial frequency pattern perception was measurable at the youngest age tested (2 months). Behavioral performance at all radial frequencies improved with age. Performance was better for higher radial frequencies, suggesting the developing visual system prioritizes processing of fine visual details that are ecologically relevant. By using two complementary methods, we were able to capture a comprehensive developmental trajectory for shape perception.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerick M Lee
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, NY, NY, USA
| | | | - Najib J Majaj
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, NY, NY, USA
| | | | - Lynne Kiorpes
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, NY, NY, USA
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Birch EE, Duffy KR. Leveraging neural plasticity for the treatment of amblyopia. Surv Ophthalmol 2024:S0039-6257(24)00046-8. [PMID: 38763223 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a form of visual cortical impairment that arises from abnormal visual experience early in life. Most often, amblyopia is a unilateral visual impairment that can develop as a result of strabismus, anisometropia, or a combination of these conditions that result in discordant binocular experience. Characterized by reduced visual acuity and impaired binocular function, amblyopia places a substantial burden on the developing child. Although frontline treatment with glasses and patching can improve visual acuity, residual amblyopia remains for most children. Newer binocular-based therapies can elicit rapid recovery of visual acuity and may also improve stereoacuity in some children. Nevertheless, for both treatment modalities full recovery is elusive, recurrence of amblyopia is common, and improvements are negligible when treatment is administered at older ages. Insights derived from animal models about the factors that govern neural plasticity have been leveraged to develop innovative treatments for amblyopia. These novel therapies exhibit efficacy to promote recovery, and some are effective even at ages when conventional treatments fail to yield benefit. Approaches for enhancing visual system plasticity and promoting recovery from amblyopia include altering the balance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms, reversing the accumulation of proteins that inhibit plasticity, and harnessing the principles of metaplasticity. Although these therapies have exhibited promising results in animal models, their safety and ability to remediate amblyopia need to be evaluated in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen E Birch
- Crystal Charity Ball Pediatric Vision Laboratory, Retina Foundation, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Kevin R Duffy
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Birch EE, Kelly KR. Amblyopia and the whole child. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 93:101168. [PMID: 36736071 PMCID: PMC9998377 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a disorder of neurodevelopment that occurs when there is discordant binocular visual experience during the first years of life. While treatments are effective in improving visual acuity, there are significant individual differences in response to treatment that cannot be attributed solely to difference in adherence. In this considerable variability in response to treatment, we argue that treatment outcomes might be optimized by utilizing deep phenotyping of amblyopic deficits to guide alternative treatment choices. In addition, an understanding of the broader knock-on effects of amblyopia on developing visually-guided skills, self-perception, and quality of life will facilitate a whole person healthcare approach to amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen E Birch
- Pediatric Vision Laboratory, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9600 North Central Expressway #200, Dallas, TX, 75225, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5303 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Krista R Kelly
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5303 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA; Vision and Neurodevelopment Laboratory, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9600 North Central Expressway #200, Dallas, TX, 75225, USA.
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Rajeev N, Tan E, Liyana R, Metha A. Shape discrimination thresholds among subjects with emmetropia and corrected myopia. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 98:353-8. [DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Narayanan Rajeev
- Optometry & Vision Science, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore
| | - Eddie Tan
- Optometry & Vision Science, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore
| | - Raja Liyana
- Optometry & Vision Science, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore
| | - Andrew Metha
- Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Determination of scotopic and photopic conventional visual acuity and hyperacuity. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 258:129-135. [PMID: 31754827 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04505-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Visual acuity (VA) is an important determinant of visual function. Here we establish procedures and recommendations for VA testing extending beyond the classical VA and thus make them available for future studies of visual function in health and disease. Specifically, we provide reference values for photopic and scotopic conventional uncrowded visual acuity (cVA) and Vernier-hyperacuity (hVA) and assess their reproducibility and dependence on contrast polarity. METHODS For ten observers with normal vision, we determined photopic ("p"; maximal luminance 220 cd/m2) and scotopic ("s"; maximal luminance 0.004 cd/m2; 40 min of dark adaptation) cVA and hVA, for two contrast polarities i.e. black optotypes on white background and vice versa. To assess intersession effects, two sets of measurements were obtained on different days. RESULTS Compared to pcVA (1.32 decimal VA; - 0.12 ± 0.02 LogMAR), the phVA (14.45 decimal VA; - 1.16 ± 0.04 LogMAR) scaled (in terms of decimal visual acuity) on average with a factor 11.0, the scVA (0.12 decimal VA; 0.91 ± 0.03 LogMAR) with a factor of 0.1, and the shVA (1.47 decimal VA; - 0.17 ± 0.02 LogMAR) with a factor of 1.1. There were neither significant effects of contrast polarity (p > 0.12), nor of session (p > 0.28). CONCLUSIONS Our approach optimises integrated photopic and scotopic cVA and hVA measurements for general use and thus encourages the integration of these important measures of scotopic visual function in future studies. The absence of strong intersession effects demonstrates that no dedicated training session is needed to obtain scotopic and hVA measurements. The combined measures of scotopic and photopic VAs open a field of applications to study interplay and plasticity of the retinal photoreceptor systems and cortical processing in health and visual disease. As a rule of thumb, hyperacuity is 10× higher both in the photopic and scotopic range than conventional acuity. Thus, scotopic hyperacuity is close to photopic conventional acuity.
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Chakraborty A, Anstice NS, Jacobs RJ, Paudel N, LaGasse LL, Lester BM, McKinlay CJD, Harding JE, Wouldes TA, Thompson B. Global motion perception is related to motor function in 4.5-year-old children born at risk of abnormal development. Vision Res 2017; 135:16-25. [PMID: 28435122 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Global motion perception is often used as an index of dorsal visual stream function in neurodevelopmental studies. However, the relationship between global motion perception and visuomotor control, a primary function of the dorsal stream, is unclear. We measured global motion perception (motion coherence threshold; MCT) and performance on standardized measures of motor function in 606 4.5-year-old children born at risk of abnormal neurodevelopment. Visual acuity, stereoacuity and verbal IQ were also assessed. After adjustment for verbal IQ or both visual acuity and stereoacuity, MCT was modestly, but significantly, associated with all components of motor function with the exception of fine motor scores. In a separate analysis, stereoacuity, but not visual acuity, was significantly associated with both gross and fine motor scores. These results indicate that the development of motion perception and stereoacuity are associated with motor function in pre-school children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Chakraborty
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Nicola S Anstice
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Jacobs
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nabin Paudel
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Linda L LaGasse
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, USA
| | - Barry M Lester
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, USA
| | - Christopher J D McKinlay
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Trecia A Wouldes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada.
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Hamm LM, Black J, Dai S, Thompson B. Global processing in amblyopia: a review. Front Psychol 2014; 5:583. [PMID: 24987383 PMCID: PMC4060804 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the visual system that is associated with disrupted binocular vision during early childhood. There is evidence that the effects of amblyopia extend beyond the primary visual cortex to regions of the dorsal and ventral extra-striate visual cortex involved in visual integration. Here, we review the current literature on global processing deficits in observers with either strabismic, anisometropic, or deprivation amblyopia. A range of global processing tasks have been used to investigate the extent of the cortical deficit in amblyopia including: global motion perception, global form perception, face perception, and biological motion. These tasks appear to be differentially affected by amblyopia. In general, observers with unilateral amblyopia appear to show deficits for local spatial processing and global tasks that require the segregation of signal from noise. In bilateral cases, the global processing deficits are exaggerated, and appear to extend to specialized perceptual systems such as those involved in face processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Hamm
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joanna Black
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Shuan Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Starship Children's Hospital Auckland, New Zealand ; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand ; Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo Waterloo, Canada
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Gillespie-Gallery H, Subramanian A, Conway ML. Micro-costing the provision of emotional support and information in UK eye clinics. BMC Health Serv Res 2013; 13:482. [PMID: 24252205 PMCID: PMC3842648 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sight loss has wide ranging implications for an individual in terms of education, employment, mobility and mental health. Therefore there is a need for information and support to be provided in eye clinics at the point of diagnosis of sight threatening conditions, but these aspects of care are often missing from clinics. To meet these needs, some clinics employ an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) but the position has yet to be widely implemented. The aims of this study were: (1) To evaluate the forms of advice and emotional support in eye clinics provided by ECLOs. (2) To determine the cost of the ECLO service per patient. Methods Micro-costing was carried out using interviews, a survey and administrative data. The survey was completed by 18 of the 49 accredited ECLOs in the UK (37%) and provided information on the activities performed by ECLOs, numbers of patients seen per day, training costs incurred and the salary of the ECLOs. Results ECLOs provided information about the services in eye clinics and the community, referral to social services, emotional support to patients and also other advice. The cost of an ECLO per patient per contact was £17.94 based on an average annual ECLO salary of £23,349.60 per year, reviewing on average 9.1 patients per day, in a 42 week year. Conclusions This study provides the first costing of support services in hospital eye clinics, providing a range of estimates to suit the circumstances of different clinics. The information can be used by local decision makers to estimate the cost of implementing an ECLO service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Gillespie-Gallery
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.
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